French teenager, 18, who licked iJooz straw, allowed to leave S'pore for school-required trip

The French teenager who is facing criminal charges after filming himself licking a straw and returning it to an iJooz vending machine was given permission to leave the country for three weeks for a school-required trip.

This is on the condition that he will return to Singapore, amongst other conditions.

Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, 18, was given one count each of committing mischief and public nuisance, reported CNA.

The incident allegedly took place at about 2pm on Mar. 12 at Goldhill Centre in Thomson Road.

Internship

According to The Straits Times, Maximilien's lawyer sought permission from a judge for the teen to travel to Manila from May 2 to 25 for a "field experience".

The trip is a key requirement for him to graduate, the court heard. Maximilien is staying in Singapore on a Student Pass.

The prosecution posed no objection, and the judge granted the request on the condition that he must remain contactable by the investigating officer while overseas and also give an additional S$5,000 bond, reported CNA.

Maximilien must also surrender his passport to the IO, or an officer acting under the latter’s direction, within 24 hours upon returning to Singapore.

His next court hearing was rescheduled from May 22 to May 29.

Viral incident

Maximilien's antics first went viral after he allegedly posted a video of himself removing a straw from an iJooz kiosk, licking it, and placing it back into the straw dispenser.

Charge sheets said the French national had edited the video on Snapchat, and later uploaded the edited video onto his Instagram Story.

If convicted of mischief, he could be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.

If convicted of public nuisance, he could be jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$2,000, or both.

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